Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a public charity based in Nashville, Tennessee. Its reported 2025 giving consisted of 208 grants totaling $91.2 million, with the largest award supporting research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Vanderbilt University at a glance
In short: Vanderbilt University gave $91.2M across 208 grants in 2025 (avg $439K), mostly in Tennessee. 22% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $91,242,031
- +27.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 208
- +8.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $438,664
- +17.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,791
- Total assets
- $14,819,492,400
- +7.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (46 of 207, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (65% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Vanderbilt University
- Contact
Mailing address: Pmb 406310 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-6310
Phone: (615) 343-6601
Website: https://vanderbilt.edu
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Vanderbilt University
Who Vanderbilt University funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Vanderbilt University Medical Center ($54.3M). Together the top 10 received $65.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
874 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 415 grants of 874 (47%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In filing year 2025, Tennessee recipients received 65% of grant dollars. California received 7%, Illinois 3%, Virginia 3%, and Washington, D.C., 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 208 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Vanderbilt University open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 46 of 207 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $47K; repeat grants $553K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $77K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $51.1M (2020) to $91.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 208 grants totaling $91.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, TN | Research | $54,301,809 |
| The Scripps Research Institute La Jolla, CA | Research | $2,519,368 |
| The Learning Agency LLC Washington, DC | Research | $1,583,879 |
| Yale University New Haven, CT | Research | $1,442,586 |
| Johns Hopkins University Chicago, IL | Research | $1,098,504 |
| University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | Research | $1,092,668 |
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | Research | $1,010,744 |
| Leidos Inc Reston, VA | Research | $943,580 |
| Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA | Research | $928,097 |
| University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT | Research | $855,779 |
Ready to take the next step with Vanderbilt University?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $14,819,492,400 | $2,818,556,976 | $2,400,025,861 | $91,242,031 | 208 | $751,299,590 |
| 2024 | $13,766,694,412 | $2,567,650,038 | $2,297,164,772 | $71,857,452 | 192 | $739,166,968 |
| 2023 | $13,149,511,362 | $2,266,404,948 | $2,025,948,154 | $61,257,141 | 176 | $405,457,697 |
| 2022 | $13,531,777,510 | $3,316,640,682 | $2,029,890,292 | $58,365,690 | 154 | $1,589,140,119 |
| 2021 | $13,854,160,867 | $2,844,246,147 | $1,922,598,487 | $51,569,538 | 144 | $1,299,794,832 |
| 2020 | $9,430,450,954 | $1,708,856,937 | $1,623,494,065 | $51,088,033 | 160 | $212,182,878 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The university’s 2025 filing directs readers to Schedule O for its stated mission or purpose. Its website says financial priorities flow from its mission and Academic Strategic Plan. The plan’s four pillars are the Undergraduate Residential Experience, Trans-Institutional Programs, Education Technologies, and Healthcare Solutions; graduate education, international strategy, and inclusive excellence are cross-cutting themes.
The 2025 grants listed in the filing were identified as research grants. Recipients include universities, research institutes, and other organizations. For example, The Scripps Research Institute describes its own work as high-impact basic biomedical research, translating discoveries into useful products, and graduate and postgraduate scientific education. Fisk University describes its own mission as preparing graduates from diverse backgrounds and advancing knowledge through research across fields including the natural and social sciences, business, and humanities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Vanderbilt reported 208 grants totaling $91,242,031. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $54,301,809, with a median of $50,791.
The largest reported grant was $54,301,809 to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville for research. Other large research grants included $2,519,368 to The Scripps Research Institute; $1,583,879 to The Learning Agency LLC; $1,442,586 to Yale University; and $1,098,504 to Johns Hopkins University.
Vanderbilt’s internal research awards are separate programs for eligible university faculty and are not awards for outside applicants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Bruce R. Evans as chairman and Adolpho A. Birch III as secretary. Listed trustees include Adena Friedman, Alexander C. Taylor, Andrew Hoine, Anu Pardeshi, Cindy Kent, Conner Searcy, and Corey E. Thomas. Daniel Diermeier is also listed, with the filing directing readers to Schedule O.
Vanderbilt University is led by Bruce R Evans, Chairman on every filing since 2020; 23 of 57 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bruce R Evans
Chairman
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexander C Taylor
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Hoine
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Corey E Thomas
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg S Allen
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ike Lawrence Epstein
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jon Winkelried
Trustee
Vice Chairman → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen E Justice-Moore
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kito K Huggins
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark P Mays
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Wilf
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven H Madden Sr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne Perot McGee
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
W Douglas Parker
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adena Friedman
Trustee
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Kent
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Conner Searcy
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George Huber
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Frist
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Ishbia
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Levy
Trustee
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sean Connolly
Trustee
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Arnold
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lamar Alexander
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Makeba Williams
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nina Kohler
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Marshall
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shaiza Rizavi
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anu Pardeshi
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia J Warner
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Ingram
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anders W Hall
See Schedule O
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$1.4M (2020) → $5.7M (2025)
Andre L Churchwell
See Schedule O
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$282K (2021) → $680K (2025)
Brett C Sweet
See Schedule O
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$1.4M (2020) → $1.7M (2025)
Candice S Lee
See Schedule O
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$317K (2020) → $1.3M (2025)
Eric C Kopstain
See Schedule O
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$617K (2020) → $768K (2025)
Jerry Stackhouse
See Schedule O
On filings since 2020
16.7 hrs/week
$2.2M (2020) → $4.8M (2025)
John Geer
See Schedule O
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$616K (2020) → $735K (2025)
John M Lutz
See Schedule O
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$1M (2020) → $1.2M (2025)
Lawrence J Marnett
See Schedule O
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$626K (2020) → $588K (2025)
Nathan Green
See Schedule O
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$437K (2020) → $525K (2025)
Nicholas S Zeppos
See Schedule O
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$3.2M (2020) → $224K (2025)
Ruby Shellaway
See Schedule O
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$630K (2020) → $930K (2025)
Steve Ertel
See Schedule O
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$351K (2020) → $480K (2025)
Timothy C Corbin
See Schedule O
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$1.5M (2020) → $1.7M (2025)
Daniel Diermeier
See Schedule O
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$924K (2021) → $3M (2025)
C Cybele Raver
See Schedule O
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$562K (2022) → $1.1M (2025)
Clark Lea
See Schedule O
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$3M (2022) → $4.3M (2025)
John Kuriyan
See Schedule O
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$1.1M (2024) → $809K (2025)
Sydney Savion
See Schedule O
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$754K (2025)
Darren Reisberg
See Schedule O
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$525K (2025)
Douglas Christiansen
See Schedule O
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$1.4M (2025)
Mark Byington
See Schedule O
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$2.6M (2025)
Timothy P McNamara
See Schedule O
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$797K (2025)
Adolpho A Birch III
Secretary
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey J Rothschild
Vice Chairman
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nora W Tyson
Vice Chariman
Trustee → Vice Chariman, 2021
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (29)
- Former: Derek Mason (2020–2024) — See Schedule O
- Former: Jay C Hoag (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: John R Ingram (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Shirley M Collado (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Timothy L Warnock (2023–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Randall Thomas (2024) — See Schedule O
- Former: Somto Okoye (2024) — Trustee
- Former: David W Patterson (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Robert C Schiff Jr. (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Lee Bass (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Kenya Wright (2022–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Makeba Boatwright (2022–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Malcolm Turner (2020–2022) — See Schedule O
- Former: Susan Wente (2020–2022) — See Schedule O
- Former: Damonta Morgan (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Daniel Lovinger (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Travis W Shore (2022) — See Schedule O
- Former: Lauren Benton (2020–2021) — See Schedule O
- Former: Rebecca Chong (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Susie S Stalcup (2020–2021) — See Schedule O
- Former: Tina Smith (2020–2021) — See Schedule O
- Former: Aditya Karhade (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Audrey J Anderson (2020) — See Schedule O
- Former: Bryce Drew (2020) — See Schedule O
- Former: Courtney C Pastrick (2020) — Trustee
- Former: David Williams II (2020) — See Schedule O
- Former: H Ross Perot Jr. (2020) — Trustee
- Former: James Page Jr. (2020) — See Schedule O
- Former: W Perry Brandt (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $5.7M, to Anders W Hall (See Schedule O). 23 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Vanderbilt University
How much does Vanderbilt University give each year?
Vanderbilt University gave $91.2M across 208 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $71.9M across 192 grants.
What is Vanderbilt University's typical grant size?
Vanderbilt University's median grant in 2025 was $50,791, and its average grant was $438,664, across 208 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Vanderbilt University that year got $47K on average.
Where does Vanderbilt University give grants?
Vanderbilt University gives mostly in Tennessee: 65% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Nashville, TN (62 grants), Washington, DC (11 grants), Chicago, IL (4 grants) and Atlanta, GA (4 grants).
Does Vanderbilt University give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 208 grants with a stated purpose on Vanderbilt University's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Research" (126 grants), "Program Support" (56 grants) and "Sponsorship" (17 grants).
Who are Vanderbilt University's largest grantees?
Vanderbilt University's largest 2025 grantees include Vanderbilt University Medical Center ($54,301,809), The Scripps Research Institute ($2,519,368) and The Learning Agency LLC ($1,583,879), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 64% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Vanderbilt University?
Vanderbilt University reported $14.8B in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.8B.
What does Vanderbilt University fund?
The university’s 2025 filing directs readers to Schedule O for its stated mission or purpose. Its website says financial priorities flow from its mission and Academic Strategic Plan. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Vanderbilt University?
Vanderbilt University has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check vanderbilt.edu for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Vanderbilt University's EIN?
Vanderbilt University's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-0476822. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 7, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Vanderbilt University's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN
Vanderbilt University Medical Center supports medical and scientific research, health and educational programs, and related institutional purposes, with grants to universities, medical centers, and research organizations. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $116,000, though awards ranged widely; recipients were based across the U.S., with the most funding going to Tennessee. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
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Washington University’s reported grants primarily support research at universities, medical centers, and research institutes. In 2025, awards ranged from $5,100 to $6.23 million, with a median of $77,080, and went to recipients in multiple states; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
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Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Emory University primarily funds research and subcontract work for universities, hospitals, research organizations, and other organizations, across a range of academic and health-related fields. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $19.1 million, with a median of about $97,000; 41% of grant dollars went to Georgia recipients. The profile does not state whether Emory accepts unsolicited requests.
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The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY
Columbia funds research, education and research, and capital projects, primarily through grants to universities and medical and research institutions across the United States, with the largest share going to New York recipients. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $109,000, though awards ranged from $5,350 to $15.1 million. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
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Trustees of Boston University
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The Trustees of Boston University funds university research and related academic, health, and campus programs, including work in neuroscience, clean energy, sustainability, health care delivery, and global health. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,092 to $5.34 million, with a median of $125,223; funding was concentrated in Massachusetts and California. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Vanderbilt University funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/vanderbilt-university-morg_e709b0eb01144f799f7623d1257acbea
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_620476822_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Vanderbilt University funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/vanderbilt-university-morg_e709b0eb01144f799f7623d1257acbea},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-08. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Vanderbilt University's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Vanderbilt University down — hundreds of funders to go?